Job Discussion Forums

helldog · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 7

So, I've been on the hunt and this JET program seems to be exactly what I want, an immersive experience in Japan. The application and acceptance process is intimidating to say the least. I was just wondering how good my odds are at getting accepted. For one thing, they say TESL certification is recommended but not required. I don't have certification, just a B.A. Next, they tell you to include a criminal record with your app packet if you have anything more than a minor traffic offense. I do have a few misdeameanors from nearly a decade ago. A shoplifting, an underage consumption, and a paraphenelia misdeamonor, to be exact.
Are they really going to do a background check? Should I just forget JET?

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

You do have as much of a chance as anyone else. I would say that most people have at least one of the things they are looking for, though. So that's teaching experience or international travel.

the unofficial JET web site is www.bigdaikon.com It's great if you love abusive people, but there is an Incoming and Potential JETs page that is relatively troll free and it will give you an idea of where the other JET applicants are.

They say Japanese language is not a requirement (but good luck living in a rural area with no Japanese at all), nor is teaching experience (many JTEs use us as human tape recorders and despite our job being to teach culture, they don'T think culture is very important), nor is international travel/ internationalization experience (without it, you would have very little background to prepare you for life in a different culture with no insulation/central heating), but then the only requirement is a degree (in any discipline, even though there ARE some ALTS showing up who managed to get a degree without actually being able to accurately identify the capital city of their own country). who would you hire? Someone with experience, teaching qualifications, a lot of teaching experience and a lot of international experience or someone who has none of those things? (Answer: if you're on some of the interviewing panels, it entirely depends on who has blue eyes, blond hair and is most physically attractive).

The mantra of the JET programme is "Every Situation is Different". ESID. Don't worry too much about it, lots of people with tonnes of credentials get turned down. Lots of people with none get accepted. Lots of people with none get turned down. Lots of people with lots gdet accepted. It depends on who interviews you, and what they are looking for (and they WON'T tell you what they are looking for).

If you tell them that you have a criminal record, then chances are really good that you'll get turned down. Same goes for certain aspects of the health check.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Yay.

As previous poster. Don't ask. Don't tell.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Yay.

Don't ask. Don't tell.

TiGrBaLm · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:54 pm Post subject:

Big HELL YEAH!

I wish id stayed on for the full 3 years, havent accomplished much after coming back Sad

jimbo8282 · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Glasgow, Scotland

don't want to burst your bubble but surely jet do a basic check on you? working with kids and all that.

i could be wrong, i would recommend you check it out though.